Democrat Alden Smith, a Sangerville veteran and long-shot candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, had dropped out of the race, leaving powerhouse Sens. Troy Jackson and Emily Cain alone to vie for their party’s nomination.

“I have been overwhelmed by the grassroots support that got me on the ballot 31 days before the deadline,” Smith wrote in a press release Monday. “However, I have not been able to achieve the same financial support. Therefore, I am withdrawing from the Democratic primary race for Maine’s Second Congressional District.”

Through the end of last year, Smith raised just $11,275 in individual contributions while loaning the campaign $70,000 from his own pockets. That’s a small percentage of what his party opponents had raised: Cain, of Orono, had in the same period raised more than $300,000 in contributions, while Jackson, of Allagash, raised nearly $137,000.

“The people of our district have the opportunity to select their Democratic candidate from two people, either of whom will serve them well. It has been an honor to talk about my vision and the challenges that face Mainers. In the days to come, I plan to stay actively engaged in the fight to build a better life for Mainers.”

Smith, a naval officer currently serving in the U.S. Navy Reserves, said he plans on settling down in the Belfast area and continuing his studies at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Medford, Mass.